Please tell us a bit about yourself and your family:
I live in Richboro and have been in Bucks County pretty much since graduating high school. I grew up in Northeast Philadelphia. My family is Eastern European; both my husband and I were born in the Ukraine. We have two children: an 18-year-old son who is a freshman at Penn State, and a daughter who is about to turn 16, both in Council Rock Schools. My daughter is a competitive soccer player for CR South, and my son is into golfing and jujitsu. My parents live 10 minutes away in Newtown, and my husband’s mom is also close by in Northeast Philly. My parents, as immigrants, instilled a very strong work ethic in me.
Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. Like, how did you get to where you are today?
I have a B.S. in Business Logistics, but I only worked in that field for about a year. I then worked in real estate from 2000 to 2010. I didn’t like the office atmosphere and preferred working with people, which led me to various sales jobs, including medical equipment sales and business-to-business sales. Everything I did felt like a solid culmination that brought me to where I am now. My husband and I own a mobile coffee franchise that started in April 2025. We chose this business because it had great ratings, and the idea of being mobile and working with people with a product like coffee excited me immediately.
What do you love most about what you do?
I love that we truly bring joy to people. It’s like an ice cream truck for adults! We do a lot of teacher and employee appreciation events, and it’s a joyous occasion to come together. We come with the truck, the music, and great drinks—we bring the party. It’s a family business first: my son works the window, my daughter is the barista, and my husband handles the maintenance. We also have a stellar staff, their hard work and dedication makes all the difference.
What is a “Must do” for someone visiting our community?
Visit Tyler Park! I love the outdoors, and the park is my favorite part of the area for hiking. I’m an avid hiker.
What are some of your favorite things about our community?
I love the suburbs and how beautiful it is here, especially in the Autumn. I also love visiting New Hope and Lambertville; the drive to New Hope is beautiful, and it feels like a little getaway.
If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Switzerland. I’ve heard about a phenomenal hiking family trip a friend took, and I also have a brother and sister-in-law who live out there and want us to visit.
What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
I watch a lot of documentaries, thrillers, and true crime. My go-to, mindless show is Gilmore Girls (because of the coffee, of course!).
What is your favorite band or music genre?
My favorite band is Radiohead, but I listen to different things all the time. Right now, my son has me listening to grunge bands like Pearl Jam and Nirvana.
What is your favorite holiday and why?
Thanksgiving. I love the changing colors of the trees, and it’s a wonderful time to get together with my large, local extended family.
What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Coffee is number one. And the autumn smell of burning leaves and crisp air outdoors.
What words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Cozy, warm, smells, blankets, and family.
If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
I would choose Martha Stewart. Not for her cooking or entertaining skills, but because she is relentless in her pursuit of a high level of excellence. She is so bold and a risk-taker. We would meet at Rocco’s for lunch because their steak and service are unmatched.
Who inspires you to be better?
My mom and my mother-in-law. They are similar in that they are both such incredibly hard workers, especially as working mothers. They pushed themselves to be the best and inspire me to be better.
What advice would you give to people?
I would say, “If you have a dream, put it on pen and paper and write it all the way out till the end. Nothing is a no. Leave your opportunities, leave all the doors open. You can do it.” I wish I had been a little more adventurous and gotten to this point sooner.
What is something interesting that even your friends or family may not know about you?
I am the handy lady inspired by my dad who could always fix anything in my house and has been known to drop everything on many occasions to fix something for me. I like to figure it out, I enjoy it as a creative outlet.
Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
I hope to expand the business, perhaps getting a brick and mortar location, expanding into desserts or other café-type foods, and adding a couple more trucks. Currently I am looking for a cozy commercial space that is heated to house the truck and includes a small prep kitchen and shelving. Getting a spot closer to home would be ideal.
Where can people find you or your business?
Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee of Richboro
Viki and Mark Shikhvarger, Owners/Operators 267-255-7012
Instagram | instagram.com/TravelinTomsCoffeeRichboro
Facebook Facebook.com/TravelinTomsCoffeeofRichboro
